Torakichi Nakamura (中村 寅吉,Nakamura Torakichi, 17 September 1915 – 11 February 2008)[1] was a Japanesegolfer whose victory, with partnerKoichi Ono, at the1957 Canada Cup outsideTokyo helped to spur a boom in golf in Japan.
Torakichi Nakamura | |
---|---|
Personal information | |
Nickname | Pete, Tora-san |
Born | (1915-09-17)17 September 1915 Yokohama,Japan |
Died | 11 February 2008(2008-02-11) (aged 92) |
Height | 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) |
Weight | 65 kg (143 lb; 10.2 st) |
Sporting nationality | ![]() |
Career | |
Status | Professional |
Former tour(s) | Japan Golf Tour |
Professional wins | 24 |
Best results in major championships | |
Masters Tournament | 41st: 1958 |
PGA Championship | DNP |
U.S. Open | DNP |
The Open Championship | DNP |
Nakamura, also known as "Pete", "Tora-san," and "the Putting God",[2] was born inYokohama,Kanagawa Prefecture[1] and became acaddie at the age of 14. He became a professional golfer at the age of 20. He won theJapan Open in 1952, and won it twice more in his career, and was the first Japanese player to play in theMasters Tournament, in 1958.[3]
In 1957, Nakamura and Ono teamed up to win theCanada Cup over a field which includedSam Snead andGary Player. Nakamura also won the individual championship, at Kasumigaseki Country Club inSaitama Prefecture.[2]
In 1974, Nakamura became President of theJapanese Ladies' Professional Golf Association.[2] He was a mentor and teacher toHisako Higuchi, the current JLPGA chairwoman and a member of theWorld Golf Hall of Fame.[3]
Tournament wins
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this list is probably incomplete
- 1950Kanto Open
- 1951Kanto Open
- 1952Japan Open,Kanto Open
- 1953Kanto Open
- 1956Japan Open,Kanto Open
- 1957Kanto Open,Japan PGA Championship,Canada Cup (team event withKoichi Ono and individual event)
- 1958Japan Open,Kanto Open,Japan PGA Championship
- 1959Japan PGA Championship
- 1960Chunichi Crowns,Kanto Pro Championship
- 1961Kanto Pro Championship, Camp Zama Pro-Am Tournament
- 1962Japan PGA Championship, Camp Zama Pro-Am Tournament
- 1964 Camp Zama Pro-Am Tournament
- 1968Kanto Pro Championship
- 1973Japan PGA Senior Championship
- 1976Japan PGA Senior Championship
Team appearances
editReferences
edit- ^ab"Torakichi Nakamura, 92, Golf Pioneer, Is Dead".The New York Times. Agence France-Presse. 14 February 2008. Retrieved19 July 2020.
- ^abcJapanese golf legend Torakichi Nakamura dies at 92
- ^abOn The Fairway: Pioneer's passing not end of era
External links
edit- Torakichi Nakamura at theJapan Golf Tour official site
- Images of Torakichi Nakamura
- Japan PGA Hall of Fame(in Japanese)